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The In-Depth Guide to Choosing Between Coffee Blends and Single Origins

All Things Brewing

4 mins read

If you've ever stood in front of a shelf of specialty coffee bags wondering, “Should I get a blend or a single origin?”, you’re not alone. And if you usually drink your coffee with milk, the answer might not be as simple as picking the one with the fanciest label.

We briefly touched on this topic in our blog about setting up your home brewing station — so if you’re just starting out and want a broader overview of gear, brew methods, and setup tips, feel free to check out that blog first.

But if you’re ready to dig deeper into how blends and single origins actually work — especially when it comes to how you drink your espresso-based coffee (milk or black) — this guide is for you.

What’s a Blend?

As the name suggests, a blend is a combination of two or more coffees. Generally, blends are used for espresso-based drinks, thanks to their consistency and balanced flavour profiles.

At Haven, our blend offering, Compass Blend, is designed specifically for espresso-based drinks. It’s roasted to have enough body and depth to stand out through milk, but still tastes smooth and balanced on its own.

📸 Example: Compass Blend (Espresso Roast)

Haven’s blending philosophy:

We intentionally keep things simple with just two components: 50% Colombian and 50% Ethiopian. While many roasters include 3–10+ coffees in a blend (especially in large commercial franchises), we believe that too many components can dilute a coffee’s distinctiveness.

Here’s why we keep it to two:

It strikes a balance between consistency and character

Each coffee still gets a chance to shine in the cup

More components = more generalised flavour = higher consistency but less signature personality

By choosing just two coffees — two we truly love — we get a blend that feels both familiar and expressive. Colombian and Ethiopian coffees are also the backbone of many of our single origins, so this pairing feels like a true reflection of Haven’s taste profile.

What’s a Single Origin

Single origin refers to a coffee that comes from one place — be that a region, farm, or even a specific lot.

Our single origin espresso options are roasted slightly lighter than our blends, using an omni roast profile. Omni roast means it’s still espresso-friendly, but preserves the unique character of the origin.

These are ideal for black coffee drinkers — think espressos and long blacks — who want to experience brightness, nuance, and clarity. Expect fruitier notes, more complexity, and a lighter body compared to blends.

Which Should You Choose?

It really comes down to how you drink your espresso-based coffee!

If you drink milk coffee (flat white, latte, cappuccino): Go with our Compass Blend. It's built for milk, with more body and comforting flavours that cut through nicely.

If you drink black coffee (espresso or long black): Try our rotating single origin espresso. It's lighter in body, higher in clarity, and lets you taste the origin's true character.

You don’t have to choose just one forever — we encourage people to explore both styles depending on their mood or coffee setup.

Final Thoughts

At Haven, we craft our espresso offerings to suit different preferences — whether you're after a consistent go-to with milk or something vibrant and exciting as black.